The Swedish Covenant Hospital Nursing Alumnae Association (SCHNAA) was formed to maintain the lifelong friendships of the Swedish Covenant Hospital School of Nursing alumnae. As a dues paying organization the association relies on these contributions to support and to fund various alumnae activities.

As Chicago’s North Side population began to grow the demand for nurses increased. In 1898 Swedish Covenant Hospitals Board of Directors announced the establishment of the Swedish Covenant Hospital School of Nursing (SCHSN). In 1900 Hilda Rodberg became the first graduate and went on to become a well respected missionary nurse in China. 1900 also marked the year the Lighted Candle was designed as the official emblem representing the school of nursing on all printed materials. Irene Oberg, who was the director of the school designed the emblem to represent the “carrying of light into darkened hearts.”

By 1904 the school enrolled ten students and the curriculum was changed to a three year program. By the 1940s new residence facilities for the students, modern classrooms, and laboratory facilities helped to recruit the best and brightest students from around the country.

In 1968 the hospital Board of Directors decided to phase the nursing program over to North Park University as the demand for four year nursing schools became the trend. The class of 1969 was the last to graduate.

Over 1,400 nurses have graduated from Swedish Covenant Hospital and their light still shines brightly every June when they hold their annual reunion luncheon.

Enjoy photos from the 2011 Reunion festivities at Swedish Covenant Hospital and the Doubletree Hotel.

Leadership

President – Maggie Henneberry ’68
Secretary and Treasurer – Carol Olson ’61
Additional Board Members – Susan Tanner ’68, Phyllis Anderson ’65, Sharon Eager ’63

Newsletter

The Caring Times, a publication for the Swedish Covenant Hospital Nursing School’s alumnae, is published at least once a year. Check out some past newsletters.

If you would like to sign up to receive the newsletter, have a change of address, have notes to share about your class, or have news you would like published in the next issue, please e-mail, call, or write Cameron Johnson in the Foundation Office at:

Swedish Covenant Hospital Foundation
5145 North California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 878-8200, Ext. 6256
cjohnson@schosp.org

Dues

Annual dues are $30.00 and help support alumnae activities and scholarship programs.